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MADISON—Republican state Sen. Neal Kedzie is resigning his seat, a little more than a month after announcing he was retiring at the end of the year.

Kedzie on Monday announced he was resigning at the end of the day to pursue a “new opportunity.” In order to pursue this opportunity further, he had to resign, according to a news release.

Kedzie, of Elkhorn, has yet to say what the opportunity is, and a spokeswoman in his Senate office said she doesn't know.

"I have been blessed to be part of such a unique institution and hopefully have made a positive change, at lease in some small way," Kedzie said in the release.

Kedzie, 58, was first elected to the Senate in 2002, then re-elected in 2006 and 2010. Before that, he served four years in the Assembly as the 43rd District representative.

In April, he announced he was seeking re-election to the state Senate's 11th District seat.

The 11th Senate District includes portions of Jefferson, Waukesha, Rock, Walworth and Kenosha counties.

In May, he said he was retiring to spend more time with his family and pursue opportunities outside of state government, according to a previous news release.

"As I depart the Senate and begin a new path in my career and life, I will always hold dear the many memories made and numerous friendships forged; the Wisconsin Legislature is truly a special place and Wisconsin is a very special state," Kedzie's Monday statement reads.

Republican state Rep. Steve Nass and Democrat Dan Kilkenny are running for the seat in the November election.

With Kedzie's resignation, his seat will be vacant for the remainder of the year.